THE "MENTAL MOVIE" TOOL

A mental movie is the investigator's visualization of the process being investigated. Investigators construct mental movies in their minds - frame by frame - as data become available during the investigation. The investigator's informal goal is to be able to recreate the phenomenon in the mental movie. This tool helps investigators organize their investigation efforts and data by providing an easily employed structure for their tasks, with support from INVESTIGATION CATALYST

Elements of the investigator's mental movie are similar to the elements of a conventional motion picture in many ways. A conventional movie is based on a script describing what each actor is to do, with actors performing the specified actions to implement the script, and capturing their actions, frame by frame, with one frame leading to the next, to produce the finished movie. The stage on which the movie is made compares with the site where the phenomenon occurred. The objects involved compare with the stage components.

Investigators, like a movie directors, create their movies in pieces (scenes) that are assembled into the final version of the movie. Investigator, like directors, are responsible for the final version of the movie.

Conventional movies are captured on film media, which has a relatively long life, and can be viewed many times by others. Mental movies, on the other hand, are captured by a volatile "medium" and can not be viewed by others, so their documentation becomes vitally important. Conventional movies scripts and film document the scenario; investigators' mental movie scripts are captured in the Investigation Catalyst matrix, a frame (EB) at a time, as the investigation progresses.

Investigators need to be able to "see" the stage or setting in which the phenomenon occurred to make their mental movie. That setting can be acquired by direct observation at the scene, or to save time, remotely with modern video media and communications, and the internet. Investigators also need visual information about any objects that may be involved to process them in their mental movie. This is an important roll for photographs and videos of the phenomenon.